Page 5 of Fresh Old Bounties

“You can complain to Sonia.”

Her words took me aback. “Sonia?”

A wicked, slightly deranged smile split Dru’s face. “It’s a paranormal-owned company. They can’t open a shop without the Association’s permission. As a member, you can lodge a complaint.”

And Sonia Aguilar, as the president of Olmeda’s Paranormal Business Owners Association, held all the power.

I was awestruck by Dru’s genius. “Your parents really chose the wrong person.”

She straightened, her chest expanding. “Duh.”

Her idea was amazing, but there was one small problem. Tapping my fingers on the counter, I mulled it over. “But you know Sonia hates me. If I complain, she might allow them to open to get back at me.”

“Nah, she doesn’t hate you. She’s like that with everyone.”

By “that” Dru meant antagonistic, detail-obsessed, and perennially unsatisfied.

“I think the idea is great, but I’m not sure I’m the correct person for it.”

Dru leaned forward, daring me to look anywhere but her. “You will do this for me, Hope,” she enunciated very clearly.

I appreciated that she hadn’t attached an “or else,” or wasn’t attempting to blackmail me, unlike pretty much anyone else who had needed something from me so far in Olmeda. It was enough to make me a little teary eyed.

Waving her glare away, I blinked repeatedly.

“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded.

“Nothing,” I choked out. It felt so good to have a true best friend who didn’t want to murder me in the literal sense. “Yes, of course I’ll help.”

Dru nodded sharply, satisfied, then charged around the counter and toward the door, hooking a hand on my elbow on the way. “Great. Let’s go.”

“Now?” I asked, allowing myself to get dragged.

“Now.”

THREE

Sonia owned a costumes and party favors store several blocks away from the Tea Cauldron. Even with the overcast sky threatening rain, tourists filled the streets of Old Olmeda, and the sight brought another smile to my lips. So many people, so many future parched throats. I hoped talking to Sonia wouldn’t take long because with both of us here, there was nobody left to woman the shop and reap the benefits.

Like most shops in this part of Olmeda, Sonia’s was also open on Sunday. I peered through the display window, featuring a colorful fairy and a flashy pirate mannequin, hoping she wasn’t around and feeling immediately guilty at the thought. Dru deserved my best foot forward.

“Fear is like a waterfall, mighty but crossable,” I murmured.

“She doesn’t hate you,” Dru repeated impatiently. Grabbing my elbow again, she pushed the door open and dragged me inside.

The shop was small and colorful, full to the rafters with racks of costumes and an assortment of masks, wigs, garlands, and anything one would ever need to have a good time. My gaze snagged on a man’s sexy firefighter ensemble, and I wondered how it’d look on Ian. Very good, I decided, my belly filling with instant butterflies. Most excellently, in fact. Perhaps I could come back when Sonia wasn’t around and?—

“Hope,” Dru snapped.

“Sorry.” I tore my attention off the costume and walked up to the counter with sure, determined steps to face the firing squad—my business arch nemesis, today dressed in a business-casual attire of jeans and a white sleeveless blouse.

Sonia gave me a flat stare, clearly expecting nothing but disappointment and broken promises to come out of my mouth.

Having worked in the service industry for years before getting the Tea Cauldron, it was an expression I was well familiar with and fully prepared to counteract. I gave her my friendliest smile this side of I’d-rather-eat-a-lemon fake. “Good morning, Sonia.”

She arched a single eyebrow.

I cleared my throat. “Miss Aguilar.”

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